NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Thousands of graduates
from more than 120 colleges and universities all over the nation are
making The Graduation Pledge. Many also are pinning a tiny green ribbon
on their gowns at commencement ceremonies. The ribbon may be small, but
it speaks volumes about the character and conviction of those displaying
it.

Seniors take The Graduation Pledge to dedicate
themselves to social and environmental consciousness on their future
jobs:

“I pledge to
explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences
of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any
organizations for which I work.”

The Graduation Pledge is coordinated nationwide by
the Graduation Pledge Alliance, hosted at Manchester College under the
direction of Professor Neil J. Wollman since 1996. Today, the Pledge is
taken by graduates at 120 campuses in the United States and at colleges
and universities in Canada, Australia, France, Taiwan, Mexico and
Singapore.

Jamie M. Riedeman of Indianapolis took the pledge
and wore the ribbon when she received her bachelor’s degree in 1999 and
her master’s of accountancy from Manchester College in 2000. “To be
socially responsible, you need to take a step back to see what you have
and not carry an attitude that you deserve things,” said Riedeman, who
now is controller for Associated General Contractors and does accounting
for non-profit organizations. Riedeman, also audited non-profits at a
previous job. “There are so many organizations and non-profits out
there,” she said. “Someone needs to make sure they are spending those
gifts wisely.”

Dana Nixon of St. Louis, Mo., took the pledge when
she received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Manchester in 1996.
“I knew I was driven toward service,” she said. “Once your eyes are open
to injustice, they can never be closed.” Among her activism has been to
petitioned against the expansion of Indiana’s highway systems.

William Benysh, a biology-chemistry teacher for
Wabash (Ind.) Community Schools, took the pledge. The 1989 graduate of
Manchester College says he is confident in its message. “I feel now The
Graduation Pledge was a great statement of optimism and an acceptance of
the responsibility of adulthood,” he said. “I took those words
seriously. It's strange to think back on the impact that The Graduation
Pledge and the mind-set that I had at the time has had on me. Social and
environmental responsibility is a way of life I have chosen. I probably
would have lived a life not much different than this without the Pledge,
but it is something tangible that I can look back on to help guide my
way.”

The independent Manchester College offers more than
45 areas of study to 1,170 students from 29 states and 33 countries. As
part of its complete liberal arts catalog, the residential college
offers nationally acclaimed accounting, pre-med and peace studies
programs and a master’s degree in accounting. For more information about
Manchester College, visit the web site at
www.manchester.edu